Living Beside the Yarra
By Lori Fellows
We live beside the Yarra a changing scene each day
Quietly flowing past, out to Port Phillip Bay
Sourced up near Mt Baw Baw in a forested sub-alpine park
Swamps, fed by snowfalls causing water to disembark.
A narrow winding river trickling from the billabongs
Far distant to the mouth around 250k’s long.
Up in the far reaches the platypi still thrive
From our balcony we watch seals and dolphins dive.
Changes to the river have been made throughout the years
Work controlled flooding to quell people’s fears
Silt dredged from the river - construction of an isle
Levee banks built, trees planted in soil fertile,
Herring Island was called Como in 1928
Raging floods swept it away before it did abate
Como was swept away in 1934
A major flood such power, sorrowful tales of awe.
Working docks were built for the thriving city
Warehouses and factories belching fumes and smoke so gritty.
Appleton and Swanston Docks built along the river
Convenient for ships to unload goods and deliver.
It was once a busy river with sea-going ships
Wharves all along marking many slips.
Long gone is the trade of old
No more boats laden with wool or gold.
Gone are factories that belched out poisonous waste
Restaurants, bars and apartments stand proudly in their place.
The Bolte Bridge opened in 1999
Tall and monumental passing the test of time.
Ferry boats so busy during the hours of day
Gliding past the MCG, down towards the bay
Hire boats bounce along in their wakes
Early morning rowers push hard, backs break.
Yachts tall and graceful head out to race on the bay
Fishermen try their luck, watching tide times of the day.
Downstream Pier 35, a favourite restaurant
Sit inside or outside, order any drink you want
The container ships pass by hardly making a ripple
While diners enjoy a meal sipping their favourite tipple.
They say the Yarra flows upside down
Clear underneath, on top muddy brown.
Blue skies bring vivid blue reflections on the waterway
Pink, red and orange at the break and set of day.
Black cormorants in flocks, fly, swoop and dive
Into the river, on small fish they thrive
Rounding up schools of fish to catch
Fighting off seagulls that wait, watch and snatch.
The Pied Cormorant an adorable bird
Stands flat footed without a word
Chest puffed out all fluffy and white
Belly so full no chance of take off or flight
Perched with wings hung out to dry
Resembling penguins, watching swans and ducks drift by.
Webb Bridge, a stunning piece of structural art
The most photographed bridge in Melbourne, it stands apart.
The rubbish after rain gathers in swirls
In stark contrast brides and models pose and twirl.
Sightseers, yachties and pleasure seekers
We’ve even seen the occasional streaker!
One stood on the marina and stripped off his gear
Into the river with a white flash of rear.
Many bridges along the river, Queens, Hoddle and Charles Grimes
One dedicated to Melbourne footballer, the great Jim Stynes.
Changes continue to be slowly revealed
Giant buildings emerge of glass and steel.
A crane built in 1948, turning 70 this year
Is being restored, decked out in new gear.
The river keepers, fire boats and police keep all in check
While we sit back and enjoy the view from our elevated deck.
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Cr Jamal Hakim pushing to make history in Melbourne
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